Exclusive 5/5
By Lacy
"CJ!" I catch up to her just as she is walking back into her office.
"Yes, Joshua?"
"Any news on the CNN and MSNBC polls, yet?"
"Carol's getting them for me now," she responds. "I'm glad you're
here though, because I wanted to talk to you."
"What about?"
"I just spoke with Bristol Wallace and she's going to be calling you."
"What?"
"She needs some background on Donna. I've already cleared the
questions she's going to be asking you."
"Okay," I sigh. I could live without this new development. "What
time is she going to call?"
"Late," CJ answers. "Probably after eight."
This just gets better and better. I was hoping to get out of here
early tonight. "Fine." I turn to leave. "Call me when the polls
are in."
"Josh?" CJ calls me back.
"Yeah?"
"Is that a hickey on your neck?" CJ's got that expression on her
face like she's trying not to burst into laughter.
I consider straight out denial. "What if it is?" My denial skills
have taken a beating over the last few weeks.
"Because...it's a hickey!" She raises her voice and I'm diving for
the door to close it before her accusation can travel out the door
and into the bullpen. "You didn't get over the phase in high school?"
"I'm feeling remarkably young these days, CJ. And can we keep this
between you and me?"
"Oh, I think anyone with halfway decent observation skills is going
to notice. Your cover's blown, my friend." Her eyes widen all of
the sudden and her eyes well up with tears of laughter. "Oh, was
that a bad choice of words?"
"One of these days, Claudia Jean," I warn. "You won't see it coming,
but revenge will be mine."
"Get out," she laughs," and take your proclamations of doom with you."
As I cross the bullpen to my office, I find that I am tilting my head
slightly to the side, hoping to hide the mark Donna left on my neck.
CJ's back in my office twenty minutes later, motioning for Donna to
join us. I notice that every time she tries to meet my eyes she has a
hard time controlling the smile on her face.
"Poll's are in," she says.
"And?" Donna and I ask in unison.
"The CNN poll asks, 'Do you think a romantic entanglement in the
White House could be detrimental to the country?' Seventy-two
percent replied 'no'."
My shoulders relax just a bit and I can see Donna relax as well.
"Twelve percent said 'yes'," CJ continues, "and sixteen percent
answered 'withhold opinion'. The MSNBC polling question is as
follows: 'Do you feel that two people involved in an interoffice
relationship will be unable to separate their work life from their
personal?' Twenty-two percent reported 'possibly', forty-five
percent responded 'not necessarily', and thirty-three percent said
'withhold opinion.'"
"Sounds like this is going to be a non-issue for the Administration,"
I declare.
"Well, I hope so," CJ responds. "I'll continue to keep my eye on
this, but if we keep our fingers crossed this could just remain a
simple human interest story instead of becoming a platform issue."
"Thanks again, CJ," I say.
"No problem," she declares as she leaves.
****
I send Donna home at 7:30. Of course, when I say 'home' I'm talking
about my place. I tell her that it would probably be better if we
were to arrive separately, just in case we are being watched.
But the truth is, I really don't want her here when Bristol Wallace
calls. I have some things to say to her that Donna should not have
to hear. I sit at my desk, my office lit by a simple desk lamp,
going over the notes for my meeting tomorrow with the Secretary of
Education, when the phone rings.
"Josh Lyman."
"Mr. Lyman, I have Bristol Wallace on the line for you." The voice
is young and male. Yet another one of Bristol's 'assistants'.
I roll my eyes. This is Bristol Wallace's way of establishing
control over our conversation. She's setting the tone by wanting me
to know that she's holding the reins.
"Fine," I tell the assistant. I hear a click and the line switches
over.
"Hello, Josh." Her accent has upper crust New England written all
over it.
"Hello, Bristol," I reply.
"It's good to hear your voice, Josh."
I say nothing to this, since I cannot return the sentiment. "Look,
Bristol, I'm a busy man."
"Can't we just have a nice conversation before we get down to
business?"
"What is you want, Bristol?"
"I just wanted to offer my congratulations. Donna's a sweet girl and
you two deserve each other."
When I said that Bristol Wallace was clever and manipulative, this is
what I meant. She has a way of saying things that leave you
wondering exactly what she means. "I'll take that as a compliment,"
I reply.
"I really didn't need to talk to you about Donna, Josh. I think I
have everything I need. My assistant has managed to put together a
few choice pieces of history for the opening film."
"Bristol," I warn.
"Don't be peckish, Josh, I'm just having a little fun with you."
"Just as long as you don't 'have fun' at Donna's expense."
"This is a really great story, Josh, and I want to be the one to tell
it. Don't worry. I'll play nice."
"Yes," I say in a deadly tone. "You will."
"Well, that was uncalled for. Tell me, Josh. Is this really love,
or is this just a simple fling with your assistant?"
"When are you going to give it up, Bristol? Can't you see the
handwriting on the wall?"
"There's nothing wrong with trying," she sighs. "Besides, I've seen
Donna. What does she have that I don't?"
"Well, you see, you say things like that and it just makes you sound
bitter. Desperation is a real turn off. You will play nice,
Bristol. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Josh. This interview is going to be a smash for me, I'm not
going to risk it."
"Because, I've had a pretty good glimpse at how your mind works. I
wouldn't put it past you to try to use Donna to avenge your perceived
scorned ego."
"Why would I want revenge, Josh?"
"Because I wouldn't sleep with you, and you damn well know it."
"Oh, that. I'm a modern woman, Josh. I've moved past it."
"Just make sure that you have," I say. "If Donna regrets doing this
interview and you're the cause of it, I will make sure that you are
persona non grata in this House. You got me? When I'm through with
you, you'll be lucky if you can get an interview with a Congressman's
caddy."
"Oh, I don't think you have quite as much power as you think you do."
"Don't try me, Bristol."
"You love her that much, do you?"
I'm getting the feeling this question was the one she wanted to ask
all along. She has goaded me to this point and I stepped right in to
it.
"Yes," I answer. "I love her that much."
"Thank you, Josh," she responds.
"Are we through?"
"We're through."
"Remember what I said," I tell her.
"Josh," she sighs. "Why do you have such a low opinion of me? I
won't mess this up for you. I promise. I just want to get the
story."
She says good-bye to me and ends our conversation. I'm left holding
the phone in my hand, feeling like I've been put through the
Inquisition. I replace the phone on its cradle, and begin to gather
my things. I could not be more ready to get out of this place.
I have a beautiful woman waiting at home for me. A woman who is
strong, and intelligent, and can take anything Bristol Wallace throws
her way.
I hope.
The End.
****